No rates rise in Devonport

The decision will be popular with voters leading into the council elections held in October, at which time the number of aldermen in Devonport will reduce from 12 to nine.

The council will not formally adopt its budget until Monday night, but yesterday it released the 2014-2015 annual plan and estimates budget.

Paul West said in his summary as general manager that the 2014-2-15 budget continued to work towards the council's goal of ensuring that the services and facilities provided to the community were of an appropriate standard but also took into account the community's capacity to pay.

Mr West said a zero rate increase had required the council to closely review all of its activities and had resulted in a number of new and improved service delivery models being considered.

Some fee increases would be applied at the cemetery and the council tip, but parking fees and dog registrations, as well as fees at recreation facilities, had not increased.

The budget provided for a break-even operating result based on estimated consolidated income and expenditure of $37.941 million.

Depreciation of $8.865 million has been included.

The total capital works budget is $12.373 million.

Devonport Mayor Steve Martin said: "The council's balanced budget includes a zero rate increase for both the general and waste management rate, applying also to the higher valued properties".

Alderman Martin said staff changes under Mr West and the reduction to nine aldermen assisted the budget.

"There have been changes over the past 12 months and more are expected into the future, including a new general manager, the reduction of aldermen numbers and the movement and realignment of staff," Alderman Martin said

"These changes provided the opportunity to have a fresh look across each department for efficiencies, improvements and savings.

"It is a fine line to be able to continue delivering essential services, maintain assets, plan for the future, as well as be very mindful of the community's ability to pay, especially when the cost of living is ever- increasing.

"This budget aims to keep a little bit more in our ratepayers' pockets, and hopefully that will flow out to the local business community through local spend."